West Michigan Biz Beat: Openings, closings and other local business news, January 2018

Wikiwiki Poke Shop (1146 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids) opened its doors at the corner of Wealthy and Fuller, so far serving nothing but poke. The Hawaiian dish has been described as “deconstructed sushi,” with raw fish being the key ingredient. Stop in for bowls like The O.G., with marinated ahi tuna, avocado, cucumber, sweet onion, furikake, wasabi, pickled ginger, seaweed salad, edamame, mango, GF fried onions, and a spicy mayo sauce.

That’s not the only place to get your poke fix though. In the same month, Citizen (2115 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids) also opened, up in Creston. The Polynesian restaurant and tiki bar is serving up delicious food from across the Pacific, such as the Fire Scallop Poke bowl, Pork Belly Ramen and Spiced Seitan Banh Mi. As for drinks, you’ll find a wide variety of tiki cocktails that come in fun glassware, like a cat or parrot.

Big Lake Brewing’s new spot at 13 W. 7th St., Holland is ready to visit. You’ll find small plates, sandwiches, pizza and more, plus some dang good beer, including a coffee stout that won our beer taste-off this month.

The Basque-inspired Zoko 822 incorporated its address, 822 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, into its name. Offering more than 30 varieties of gin, the restaurant also has small plates ranging from patatas bravas to Spanish sandwiches and empanadas, available during brunch, lunch and dinner.

West Michigan’s first goulash-centric restaurant has arrived. Gouleese (1635 Beidler St., Muskegon) is serving up variations of the meaty stew from all over the world, such as the Czech Goulash, with braised sirloin, onion, paprika and a special blend of spices, served with mashed potatoes. You can get your goulash on a plate for dinner or in a garlic bread cone for lunch.

CLOSED:

Crooked Goose (355 Wilson Ave. NE, Grand Rapids) has closed up shop after six years in Standale. The sister restaurant to Twisted Rooster will become a new concept: Taco Vista, a cali-mex taqueria, due to open in April. Under the direction of Executive Chef Justin Large, the new place will feature a variety of tacos with house-made tortillas, as well as inventive takes on other cali-mex favorites.

other changes:

The Søvengård (443 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids) is taking over The Conscious Collective’s old digs, just upstairs. With this move, the restaurant will add 70 to 80 extra seats, doubling its capacity, as well as a second bar. The Scandinavian-inspired restaurant plans to complete this project during January.

If you have any closings, openings or other business news for REVUE, e-mail josh@revuewm.com.